Basketball Fundamentals - Playing the Point Guard Position

Learning to play the point guard position is a difficult article to write since many factors are involved in playing this position. Some of these factors include how the coach wants his/her point guard to operate, the style of play, the abilities and talents of the teammates surrounding the point guard, and the skills, temperament, experience and leadership qualities of the point guard him/herself. I'll try to discuss several qualities involved.

Communication

The point guard is often thought of an extension of the coach on the floor, or the "quarterback", or floor general. So the point guard must have a close working relationship with the coaches and be very "coachable". He/she should know exactly what the coach expects of him/her, and what team strategies to use at a given time. The point guard must know his role on the team, whether he is expected to be a John Stockton type assist man, or a scorer like Allen Iverson.

And this of course will depend not only on his own skills as a scorer, but also upon the talent of his teammates around him. If the team has some excellent scorers, he/she will want to be a good assist person and get the ball to those players. If no-one else on the team is a strong scoring threat, then the point guard may need to step up into that role.

You must also be able to communicate with your teammates both on and off the court. Learn to read the cuts your post players and wing players make, whether they V-cut or back-cut. You might work out some hand signals so you know whether he/she is going back-door or not.

At times, you may see the your team bunched up, with poor spacing, and you need to know how to back the ball out, direct them and get them to move and correct their spacing. If you are playing with a shot clock, or near the end of a period, you must be aware of the clock as well and get the offense attacking at the right time.

Court Balance, Passing, Half-Court Offense

A good point guard must be an excellent passer and getting the ball to your teammates for easy shots is key. Many think that dribbling and ball-handling are the most important attributes for a good point guard, but I believe it is being an excellent passer and being able to find the open man, and when to pass and not pass.

Take care of the ball, and don't throw it into a crowd. Avoid those costly turnovers. Learn to open the passing lanes by "looking" the defender away, and using pass-fakes. Avoid passing in the direction you are looking, or "telegraphing" your passes. Look one way and pass opposite, using your peripheral vision.

You should keep your head up and eyes forward toward the hoop at all times, and you should be able (using your peripheral vision) to see all four teammates at once. You want to try to get the ball to your "hot shooters" or to your teammate who may have a mismatch with his/her defender.

Ervin Magic Johnson

Keep your passing accurate and as simple as possible. Don't attempt some "fancy" pass when a simple chest or bounce pass will do the job. Keep your passes crisp with some zip, but not so hard that your teammates cannot catch the ball.

Distribute the ball from side to side using both sides of the court. There will be a natural tendency for a right-handed player to favor the right side of the court, but you must use the entire floor to overshift the defense and involve all your teammates.

Pass the ball into the high post (especially if you have a skilled high post player). A lot of good things can happen when the ball gets into the high post. Passing into the low post is usually easier from the wing position, but you can occasionally catch the defense sleeping.

To be a consistent winning team, you must be able to get the ball inside for those low post shots and lay-ups. You want to get to the free-throw line and get the opponent in foul trouble. Don't just rely on firing up three-pointers all night.

Avoid pointless dribbling on the perimeter... keep the ball moving. Catch the ball in triple threat position and don't prematurely give up your dribble.

Look for your own shot too or otherwise the defense will not have to play you seriously. Look for the outside shot, but also be able to beat your defender with a drive into the paint. When you penetrate, you cause problems for the defense if you can hit the little pull-up jumper just inside the arc in the paint, or if you can dish the ball to an open low post player (whose man has come up to defend you).

Now here's where communication comes in again. Usually the point guard has primary responsibility for being back on defense and preventing the opponent's fast break, and will not attack the offensive boards for the rebound. When you dribble penetrate, you must have an understanding with either the #2 or #3 (wing) player that he/she will stay back out on top to prevent the fast break.

A little tip against zone defenses... realize that zone defense is most effective for the first 15 seconds. If you make a few quick passes, reverse the ball, and get the zone to move, it will often shift out of position. Then when you see the openings, attack the gaps with either a good pass, or dribble penetration.

Isiah Thomas

Control the Tempo

A good point guard knows how to control the pace or tempo of the game, and how his coach wants the tempo. You must know whether your team is better as a fast-breaking team, or better as a slow-down team. And this can change depending on which teammates are on the floor.

If you have your big, slower guys in there, and if they are in a little foul trouble, and you have the lead, you might want slow things down for a few possessions. If you've got your speedy guards in there, pick up the pace.

If your team looks tired after a couple fast trips up and down the court, slow it down a little for a couple possessions. You can rest on offense, but never on defense. Momentum is a big factor too. If your team is really "on a roll", keep things moving.

For teams that like to run, after the defensive rebound, get the outlet pass and quickly push the ball up the floor as fast as you can with either the dribble or a pass. Keep your eyes focused ahead and see the whole floor. This puts more pressure on the defense, and you can sometimes get easy shots in transition, before the defense is set up.

But to quote Coach Wooden, "Be quick, but never hurry." You must always be in control... you must be in control of the ball, your emotions, your body, and be in control of the game itself. Being in control with the ball and body means you have to be a good, strong, confident ball-handler and dribbler, and know how to jump-stop.

When pushing the fast break, if you realize the opponent has gotten back successfully in the paint, stop the fast-break and dribble it back out on top and start your half-court offense.

Hunt the Paint

A good point guard can attack the open seam in the defense and get into the paint for a lay-up, a jump-stop and pull-up jump-shot, a pass to a post player inside, or a kick-out pass to an open perimeter player. It's great if you can shoot the three-pointer well, but getting into the paint is key when the game is on the line... you can get the higher percentage inside shot, or get fouled and go to the free-throw line. So you must be a good free-throw shooter too.

In seeking the paint, you must be able to expect and absorb contact... you're going to get bumped in there and you must be tough, expect the contact and learn to finish in spite of it. Like any other basketball skill, this takes some practice. Even in the paint, you must be in control... use a strong jump stop if the lay-up is not there... and a shot fake.

Get the defender in the air. When attacking the paint, keep your eyes on the rim as this makes the defense guard you (making other teammates open), and gives you a better chance of finishing. Don't go in there every time, just to pass... be a threat to score.

Attack with the dribble

Know the Game Situation

Know the game, score and clock situation at all times. Read this page, the last several paragraphs, about strategies on how to end a quarter/half, and end of the game strategies... see GameCoaching.html

Dealing with Full-Court Pressure

When faced with a full-court press, you must be aggressive with your cut and "want" the inbounds pass. You are the team's best ball-handler and passer and their best chance for successfully getting the ball up the floor. Be confident and strong with the ball.

Expect some contact and you might get to the free-throw line. Remember, it is not easy for the defense to steal the ball from you as long as you stay calm, stay out of the corners (where they can trap you), pass rather than trying to dribble through the double-team, and keep the ball in the middle of the floor or reverse it to the weak side.

In a full-court press, the defenders are mostly positioned on the ball-side of the floor, so a quick reversal to the opposite side will usually beat it. Also, after passing off to another teammate (when the press traps you), cut and try to get the next pass right back again. Often after the first or second pass is made, the press is beaten.

Steve Nash

Leadership, Attitude

I like a point guard who is confident and a little "feisty" -- who is able to grab his/her teammates and say, "C'mon, let's go!". Be pro-active and learn to anticipate game situations. It doesn't help much to yell at a teammate after the defensive error has already been committed... instead, anticipate that the opponent will probably go to their best shooter on the next possession and pro actively tell his defender something like, "They're gonna go to your guy, John... be ready."

You are the leader on the floor and the team will follow your example. Most often your offense starts with you, and you are the first line of defense when the opponent comes up the floor. If you meet their point guard in an aggressive manner on defense, your teammates with pick up on that and play hard too.

As a team leader, you must be willing to work harder than anyone else in practice so as to "lead by example". You must try to get along well with all your teammates and be a "peace-maker". Don't allow players to belittle each other (often done in a joking, but still hurtful, way). Be a leader in promoting team spirit and unity. Make the younger teammates and those teammates who get less playing time feel important too, that they are contributing also.

Skills Necessary to be a Good Point Guard

1. Passing and faking skills

A good point guard must be clever and know how to pass-fake, shot-fake, fake with feet (jab steps), eyes, know how to change speeds, etc. You must also be an excellent passer (see Passing). Practice your "no-look" passes as much as your shooting.

2. Dribbling

You must be a good ball-handler, but you don't have to be the most awesome dribbler in the world. Magic Johnson was not the most awesome dribbler, but he could handle the ball very well, was very intelligent and an excellent passer, and one of the greatest players and greatest point guards ever to play the game.

You can be a very good point guard if you play under control, play smart, are able to dribble with either hand (with head and eyes forward), have a good crossover dribble, and an around-the-back dribble. See "Dribbling", "Stationary Dribbling Drills"

3. 1-on-1 moves

Learn to beat your man off the dribble, take it into the paint and shoot the short jumper or dish off. Practice and get good at finishing lay-ups under pressure, in traffic. See Perimeter Moves. The "in and out" and the "hesitation" moves are a good ones for attacking the defender in transition.

4. Outside shooting

5. Free-throw shooting

You will get fouled when attacking the paint, or late in the game when the opponent has to foul to stop the clock. So you must be a confident free-throw shooter. See "Free-Throw Shooting".

6. Handling full-court pressure - beating the press

Have good court vision, see the floor, and see the defense. Make good decisions... when to attack with the dribble, when to pass. First get open and get the ball... get open for the outlet pass off a rebound, or for the inbounds pass after a score.

Attack with speed and quickness but always stay under control and avoid turnovers. Look up court for a pass to an open teammate. Avoid traps and learn how to escape from traps. Show confidence and leadership.

7. Conditioning

You may have to play most of the game so be in excellent physical, aerobic condition by the very first practice session.

8. Defense

A good point guard shows leadership on the defensive end and can "rally the troops" to tighten things up. Work on your on-ball defense, and your ability to stop dribble-penetration. You will also get ball-screened, so learn how defend the pick and roll. Defend without fouling... this is very important. We can't have our point guard sitting on the bench most of the game in foul trouble.

Helpful DVDs:

Ganon Baker: Point Guard Workout - Vol 1, 2, 3 -Three Pack
Ganon Baker has developed an authentic point guard workout. This dvd series has everything a point guard should know to become the best they can be at the game's toughest position.

Volume 1, Ganon takes you through separation drills and moves off the dribble. Some of the many drills include driving at different angles, driving against cones, and reading and reacting vs the defense.

Volume 2, Ganon takes you through all types of game passes and situational decisions a point guard must make. Drills include penetration and ball screen looks, feeding the post, transitional passing and many more skills a point guard can work on with and without a partner.

Volume 3, Ganon takes you through game shots from point guard spots, covering every shot a point guard, must make. Drills include timed drills, ball screen reads, pin down solutions, separation finishes, spot shooting and many more.

For the past 25 years, Duke has been home to some of the best point guards in the country and they have all studied and practiced the developmental drills presented in this excellent production... (more info)

Price: $44.99

MVP Training: Basic Point Guard Skills & Drills with Derrick Rose
with John Calipari, University of Kentucky Head Basketball Coach; 2x Naismith College Coach of the Year Award winner;
featuring Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls point guard, 2010-11 NBA MVP, 2008-09 Rookie-of-the-Year
and Rod Strickland, former professional point guard (17-year career)
Learn the skills, drills and mental concepts that have helped Calipari-coached point guards like NBA Rookies of the Year Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans and 2010 First Team All-American John Wall. For the first time ever on DVD, John Calipari shares the skills and drills he uses to train championship-caliber point guards. Watch as Calipari coaches Derrick Rose and Rod Strickland through a workout, showing you each drill and giving you a first-hand look at what it takes to improve your game... (more info)

Price: $39.99

MVP Training: Advanced Point Guard Skills & Drills with Derrick Rose
with John Calipari, University of Kentucky Head Basketball Coach; 2x Naismith College Coach of the Year Award winner;
featuring Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls point guard, 2010-11 NBA MVP, 2008-09 Rookie-of-the-Year
and Rod Strickland, former professional point guard (17-year career)
John Calipari, along with 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose and 17-year NBA veteran Rod Strickland, build on the necessary skills and drills needed to become a complete point guard. The three team up and demonstrate how point guards can maximize their skills in both the Pick and Roll and the Dribble Drive Motion offense... (more info)

and Johnny Dawkins, Duke University Men's Basketball Associate Head Coach; 2X First Team All-American, All-Time Leading Scorer (Duke), "National Player of the Year" ('86), named one of the "50 Greatest Players in ACC History".

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Associate Head Coach Johnny Dawkins give you an "inside look" at Duke's intense workout for perimeter players. The Duke basketball program has a reputation for unparalleled individual improvement using these competitive and innovative drills... (more info)

Jay Wright's unique ability to teach proper fundamentals and footwork is key to the national success of his Villanova program... His motto is that "Players must be comfortable on either foot" so his workouts focus on pivoting on both the inside and the outside foot from both sides of the floor and why both are important. Wright demonstrates his Jab Series which creates potent scoring options from anywhere on the floor. Taught with or without the use of a screen, this series forms the bedrock for perimeter effectiveness at Villanova. A compliment to the Jab Series is the Swing Series... (more info)

Price: $39.99

Steve Alford's Ultimate Guard Development Drills
with Steve Alford, University of New Mexico Head Coach; former University of Iowa Head Coach. Coach Alford presents a comprehensive tape on guard development appropriate for all ages. This video stresses competitive techniques for ball handling, shooting, footwork, reading screening angles, and counters to all defensive switching on screens. These innovative guard drills will enhance the development for any player wanting to learn and improve their understanding and execution of being an effective guard. Along with ball handling drills, Alford includes a multitude of shooting drills... (more info)

Price: $39.99

Five-Star: Becoming a Champion Basketball Player: The Point Guard
with Five-Star Basketball Coach/Instructor and Memphis Grizzlies NBA Scout, Scott Adubato
NBA Scout and Five-Star Basketball Coach Scott Adubato shares the Five-Star drills and "Champion" qualities that former Five-Star campers and great point guards Isiah Thomas, Travis Best, Sam Cassell, and Stephon Marbury have used to become true point guards and leaders. Adubato focuses on six main areas to develop a champion point guard including... (more info)